Leaderboard

Good Thursday to All, Crossed the finish line yesterday. Very uneventful #26 infusion. And to be honest, a little bittersweet. I was saying goodbye to the very people that have carried me for the past 17 months. The same staff who: taught me about my cancer as I cried and sniffled, who navigated ALL my appt's in a different city, who taught me about my Durvalumab, who laughed at my comedic antics and stories, who allowed me to slum in a private infusion room for a couple hours with laptop set up while waiting for my drug, who juggled appointment times so I didn't have to fly in an extra day, who held my hand during numerous procedures, who massaged doctors offices so I could see Specialists a little earlier than the usual 4 months waiting time who kept me up to date in copies and DVD's of my medical records, (My Pulmonologist) who gave me his personal cell so I could call him instead of flying in for ONE. MORE. APPOINTMENT, ditto for my PCP, (My Cardiologist) who at first staid and stiff now smiles and gives me a hug when we pass in the hallways. (My ENT) who apologized for the long wait but had me diagnosed and fixed within two weeks of our meeting, and who explained in detail how radiation paralyzed my vocal cords, (And my Oncologist) who though rarely uttered more than a few words, always smiled at me and shook my hand (18 times) as if meeting me for the 1st time and always told me what my next step would be. I learned to trust this quiet and kind man in my journey, and together with the loving help of all, they have brought me fairly unscathed to NED. I am more than appreciative, I am overwhelmed with my good fortune. So for each "today", I will do my best to be mindful of my blessings. I'll be sure to post follow-up progress reports. Take Care, DFK

Hi everyone. Small update - My mother was accepted into an EGFR clinical trial. She starts on Tagrisso this Monday. Here's to hoping it works for a long time.. Have a good weekend.

DKF really great news that your NED and treatment is complete, sounds like you had a great team. I want to thank you for posting the good and the not so good of your journey.

DFK, welcome to Post Durva Club 👏. You did it!! Your updated post gave me goose bumps. So can relate.! Did you ring tge bell? And may I say YOU are a "tough cookie" or wonder woman. Your travels of getting up and going to the airport then same return trip. Yikes, I complained some early mornings walking to the car cause I hated the depressing ride into the city. I stopped complaining after I read your post on your infusion trips. Will be looking for your follow up progress. My progress report on weight gain not great. I only lost 3 pounds since November and I'm not eating ice cream or junk. A ways to go. Also mindful of my blessings, Opal

Rock on Wonder Woman! I chuckled this morning about your oncologist, reminded me of the movie Fifty First Dates. I’m quite sure you left your mark and due to your tenacious spirit you have paved a smoother road for future Durvas. I suspect the team learned more from you given this new world of high tech treatment. Well done! Just like Tom Petty said... “now I’m FREE”. I hope you “fly like an Eagle” into this next NED chapter. Hugs to you. Hooray! Michelle

Congrats to DFK! Enjoy the freedom!

Great news in my opinion. Surgery scheduled for next Tuesday. Will be a VAT to remove the lower lobe of my right lung. My lung capacity is excellent now so Surgeon is not concerned about my lung capacity after Surgery. He is confident that this will be curative but will still discuss postoperative Chemo after Surgery. Less stressed now. Probably last a day or two then I'll stress the surgery. Thanks to all for the support. Now I need information on how to quickly repair a torn meniscus on my wife. 👍 Tom

Thank you everyone for your kind words and induction to the POST Durva Club (PDC). There's not much written about returning to a symptom free pre Durva life so I will do my best to journal my "findings" and share with all. I am still officially, with a BMI of 24.58, within normal weight parameters for my height. Of course 25.0 is considered overweight. "Overweight" is not a label I'm comfortable using but I do understand the stress of our bodies carrying that extra weight. So my 30lb weight gain, fatigue, joint/muscle issues and headaches are annoyances I look forward to looking at in the rear view mirror....adios, au revoir, goodbye and good riddance. We shall see. Barb, Tomm, and Roseann-Opal and I (Official PDC's) are waving you forward......as well as all your faithful Lungevity cheerleaders. Thanks all, Take Care, DFK P.S.-Yes Michelle, my oncologist shaking my hand at every visit was a quirky little deal and I did ponder the whole Ground Hog Day aspect, "Have we met?". But after awhile, I realized that he's just a sweet gentle man as in Gentleman, and it truly was a sweet greeting gesture.

Hi Cherilyn, If you find you would like additional support, LUNGevity also has peer-to-peer mentoring and the HELPLine. For the LifeLine program, you would be matched with another caregiver who has a loved one with a similar type and stage of lung cancer. The HELPLine will connect you with a oncology social worker who can help with emotional stress. Both programs are at no cost. If you have any questions, please let me know. You and your husband are in my thoughts!

Wow DKF, you're a Durva graduate! Congrats to you and to your great team.

Counting on it. I'm sure I'll have questions going forward after I get an actual stage of the Tumor and the question of Chemo comes up after the procedure. Will sleep well tonight. I'll stress about the actual Surgery starting.....tomorrow night? Thanks all. This is a very helpful and informative board. Best of luck and health to everyone. Tom

Glad to hear you're all set!

Thanks everyone. This is reassuring and I hope I only have one nodule. I will update once I visit the pulmonologist. I was insurance approved so I go for my lung scan tomorrow and the pulmonologist next Thursday. Will a regular pulmonologist be a good 1st start? Or do I need to see an oncologist Pulmonologist?

Rockin great news!